Using painkillers over a long period of time can be dangerous, according to the findings of a new study.
The study was conducted by researchers from the American Academy of Neurology. Researchers noted an increased risk of addiction to opiods among people who suffer from chronic headaches, fibromyalgia, lower back pain and pain in their joints, muscles tendons and soft tissues.
"This is the first position paper by a major American specialty society saying that there is a real problem here, and the risk might not be worth the benefit for certain conditions," the author of the statement, Dr. Gary Franklin, of the University of Washington in Seattle, said according to a TIME report.
Franklin also highlighted the risk of adverse side effects among those that used opioids, including prescription medications such as morphine, codeine, oxycodone, methadone, fentanyl, hydrocodone or any combination of these drugs with acetaminophen (Tylenol). These side effects include addiction, overdose and death.
"More than 100,000 people have died from prescription opioid use since policies changed in the late 1990s to allow much more liberal long-term use," Dr. Franklin said in an academy news release according to Philly. "There have been more deaths from prescription opioids in the most vulnerable young to middle-aged groups than from firearms and car accidents. Doctors, states, institutions and patients need to work together to stop this epidemic."
Researchers noted that more than 50 percent of people who are prescribed painkillers for three months, continue taking them, even five years later. This is despite the fact that there is no hard-core evidence suggesting these drugs help in pain relief and daily functions in the long-term without serious risks.
"More research and information regarding opioid effectiveness and management is needed, along with changes in state and federal laws and policy to ensure that patients are safer when prescribed these drugs," Dr. Franklin said.
The study titled "Opioids for chronic non-cancer pain," was published in the journal, Neurology.
